King Lear With Sheep will be performed in Jevington next week

SHEEP will be taking the stage in a retelling of a Shakespeare classic.

King Lear With Sheep will be coming to Sussex off the back of a successful first performance in London featuring a cast of one man and nine sheep.

It tells the story of a stubborn director, played by Alasdair Saksena, trying to put on a production of the iconic tragedy with a cast composed solely of the woolly livestock.

As expected chaos ensues as the baa-rmy man tries to keep control of his sheep actors.

The show is advertised as an “experimental re-evaluation of its famous predecessor”, which “overturns theatrical conventions through the startling and revolutionary device of costumed sheep.”

Jevington farmer Stephen Carr went and saw the show as it was performed in London and decided to bring the performance to his farm near Eastbourne.He said: “Someone tipped me off and it sounded intriguing for a farmer.“It was performed in a warehouse with some city sheep from a petting zoo and I was sure we could come up with a more appropriate venue.

“We have a Georgian barn and some perfectly friendly and charismatic sheep - I saw the director after the performance and we have worked up a plan to put it on for two nights.“I found the show both amusing and thought provoking and it is only 40 minutes long so I think those who are frightened of Shakespeare needn't be concerned.”

Lucie Elven, producer and assistant director, said: “It is instinctively a good combination - we started working on it in May and we did a performance we thought was going to be a one off in Lewesham.

She added said: “One of the things I found interesting was how the breed and personality of the sheep is different.

“We go to Sussex and the sheep are totally different - they are a lot scarier, stronger and more confident, they are totally different to ones we have worked with before.

The show is directed by Heather Williams.

The sheep will be on stage at The Hay Barn, Jevington Place, Jevington, BN26 5QB on August 15 and 16. To book tickets for £12 call 07532 305 909.

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